Extra compensation for South Australians who lose property to major works set to be approved

Generous payments to avoid “Castle-style” showdowns with angry residents are set to be approved ahead of the state’s largest road project – and there are calls for the significant handouts to be made retrospective.

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Extra “emotional dislocation” compensation for South Australians who lose their property to make way for major works is expected to get rubber stamped in time for the state’s largest ever road project.

But the sign off on generous payments to avoid Castle-style showdowns with angry residents will come too late for some, prompting calls for the payments to be retrospective.

Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll has told The Advertiser a new system, that includes “emotional dislocation” payments of up to $50,000, on top of a properties value, should start soon.

The legislation underpinning the system – that also includes up to $10,000 so homeowners can get a lawyer to argue their case against land acquisition – passed parliament last year but is yet to be implemented.

SA Best MPs Frank Pangallo and Connie Bonaros want the payments to be available for residents who are losing homes to make way for other major projects.

Vivien Loo with other residents impacted by the $98m Portrush Rd and Magill Rd intersection upgrade, pictured in March 2020. Vivien’s property is 110-years-old and she's spent six years restoring it but will lose it to compulsory acquisition. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

New laws have been mainly discussed in the context of the final stage of the North-South Corridor, where between 600 and 1000 properties may need to be demolished, including heritage-listed icons such as Thebarton Theatre.

Mr Pangallo said the payments should also be available for the owners of at least 49 properties affected by the $98 million Portrush-Magill intersection redevelopment at Trinity Gardens.

“The State Government’s delay on this is mystifying,” Mr Pangallo said.

“Call me a cynic, but one cannot help but feel it’s stalling while it completes its negotiations with the last few residents along Portrush Road.

“Under the existing old law, they would not be eligible for the extra emotional compensation payment on top of the figure they receive.”

The land acquisition process started in October last year for Portrush/Magill and further notices sent throughout November – after the new payments were first floated by before the legislation passed in mid December.

North-South Corridor. Artist impression of River Torrens to Darlington upgrade. Tunnels. Picture: Supplied

Infrastructure Minster Stephan Knoll said the regulations for the major reforms “which will improve the land acquisition process, put more money in the pockets of affected residents and make the process more fair are just weeks away”.

“This means they’ll be in place for major projects going forward, including the final stage of the North-South Corridor which will be the single biggest job creating infrastructure project in South Australia’s history.”